Musk’s three-bullet test focuses on standout achievements

Musk has said he looks for “exceptional ability” when hiring. The bullet-point question is intended to surface evidence of that ability, rather than a candidate’s credentials alone.

In a 2014 interview with Auto Bild, Musk argued that college degrees do not always identify the strongest talent, citing Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs, none of whom graduated from college. He said a candidate’s achievements need not be related to the job field: what matters is a record of exceptional accomplishment.

“If there's a track record of exceptional achievement, then it's likely that that will continue into the future,” Musk said.

For a job interview, promotion discussion or performance review, the approach can be adapted into a short record of three accomplishments. For each, note what you personally contributed, the result and any relevant metrics. A specific example of impact can make a stronger case than a broad summary of work over six months.